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Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Tom. Find out everything you need to know about youth rights, juvenile law and juvenile justice. AsktheJudge – Empowering youth one question at a time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained legal professional in your area for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

Copyright, 2014
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July 10, 2009
Judge Tom
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No credit cards until you’re 21!!

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Starting in February, 2010, you’ll need a parent or guardian to co-sign in order to get your own credit card if you’re under 21. Or, if you can show you have sufficient income on your own to pay your credit card debt, then you don’t need a co-signer. Also, the co-signer must have a good credit history.

The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 is an attempt to keep credit card companies from targeting teens and twenty-year-olds. Especially vulnerable are college students – 84% have at least one credit card with an average balance of $2200.00 for education expenses, not including tuition.

Photo by Andres Rueda (Flickr)

The Act also prohibits excessive fees, raising interest rates without warning, and penalizing customers who pay on time. During the first three months of 2009, late credit card payments were up to its highest level since 1974.

What do you think of this new legislation? Do you think teens and young adults need to be protected in this way? As you know, you can vote, get married, own property, join the military, and serve on a jury once you turn 18. But now Congress decided that those under 21 need protection from themselves and credit card companies. Do you agree? What if you’re an emancipated teenager – should this new law apply to you?

What about establishing credit early in your adult life? What about emergencies when a credit card is necessary? These issues were debated in Congress – what do you think?

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Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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